What if NO ONE wins the CF competition?

by Allen Chace on Mar 8, 2008 3:22 AM EST in Open Thread

As Rotoworld points out, Jacoby has hit pretty terribly thusfar, and Coco Crisp, seemingly, hasn't played since the Carter administration.

I have to disagree with our omnipresent sidebar companion. I don't think it is necessarily doing anything for Tacoby's case that Coco hasn't played in awhile. They're not going to let this kid back into the job, no matter how good he was down the stretch last season. It's already been speculated here and elsewhere that the Sox would need to see quite a bit from Ellsbury unless Crisp is traded: they don't need any kind of distraction that Crisp might be, and his value would only get lower as he sees more time riding the pine. ...moving right along

Fifth Starter Contenders.

Adding to our happy spring training news is this load of crap. We've got plenty of time, but nothing about Buchholz, McCracken, or Snyder should be causing anyone to stand up and cheer. Is it awful that I'm becoming more and more ready to see what Bartolo Colon can do?

Adios, Coke Bottles.

They're gone, to be "replaced" by a new Coca-Cola section of upper-deck seats. Dan Lamothe of Red Sox Monster is feeling nostalgic. Allan Wood of Joy of Sox would qualify as a little less than nostalgic.

The CHB is C-R-A-Z-Y.

No news there, just wanted to get a dig in with a quote I'm pulling from a recent, well, I guess he can call it a "column":

Bet you spoiled newbies have no idea that the 2001 Seattle Mariners were eliminated by the Yankees in the playoffs after winning 116 regular-season games.

"Newbies" are about the only kind of Sox fans that still tolerate him on a daily basis. ZING!

I once saw something cuter than this. Okay, I'm lying.

Fan-submitted/Boston.com

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Comments

"Let's not go there just yet"

Ya, the CHB is a jerk off. "Don't get big heads, people, it's not like the Sox are the reigning champions of the world or anything..." I really don't like that guy.

That being said, we do have a few question marks, as you pointed out above. But on the whole, if we can stay relatively healthy, I'm cautiously optimistic.

I forgive you Bill Buckner.

by tommy.otm on Mar 8, 2008 11:43 AM EST reply actions

Re: What if NO ONE wins the CF competition?

I'm going to add two teams to the Coco trade list if they're not already on it: Padres, Mets. The mets need a replacement for Moises Alou and Jim Edmonds is having Injury problems in San Diego. Im not sure what we could expect in return, but I think sending Crisp and somebody like Masterson should at least get us some pretty solid relief pitching right?

by Schulz on Mar 8, 2008 11:56 AM EST reply actions

Re: What if NO ONE wins the CF competition?

I think for the Sox to trade Masterson -- in any trade -- it'd have to bring back more than solid relief pitching. Why not package Coco and Coocoo (Tavarez)? Seriously, if Tavarez wins the 5th starter job, we're doomed anyways.

OverTheMonster.com

by Randy Booth on Mar 8, 2008 12:40 PM EST up reply actions

Re: What if NO ONE wins the CF competition?

We have been sitting on our hands and haven't filled any needs in the off season. Coco is at least a viable player who will draw trading interest. We need to decide where our needs really are. Starting and relief pitching are always needs. Do we think that our catching will be okay with the prospects filling the holes or do we need someone there? Also, what about a really solid backup outfielder. That would be Coco, except her wants to start and wouldn't be happy as a backup.

by Longsuffering on Mar 8, 2008 2:29 PM EST up reply actions

Re: What if NO ONE wins the CF competition?

Your name says it all but what more do you want from the Red Sox.
"We have been sitting on our hands and haven't filled any needs in the off season"

What do they need to fill beside a 4th outfielder and a 5th starter which certainly can be filled internally. I mean you seem a bit negative to me.

by E5 on Mar 8, 2008 4:53 PM EST up reply actions

Re: What if NO ONE wins the CF competition?

My opinion is that they need a 5th starter, a young and capable catching prospect, assuming one of ours doesn't catch on, and an outfielder cum 1st baseman. We could also use an older player who(not Barry Bonds)can play on occasion and can pitch hit.

Teams that stand pat, as we have this season, will probably get worse not better. Will Bartolo Colon really be able to fill the fifth starter role? Will we fill some of these needs from the minors? Our weak moves in the off season, while the Tigers were growing much stronger is what I question.

by Longsuffering on Mar 10, 2008 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions

Re: What if NO ONE wins the CF competition?

The Tigers have a lot of questions about their pitching. Todd Jones and Fernando Rodney lead the bullpen (until Zumaya returns, MAYBE midseason). Rodney is talented but wildly inconsistent, and Todd Jones = Joe Borowski. On the starting end, sure, he's pitched well in ST, but Dontrelle Willis is moving from a pitcher-friendly league and a pitcher-friendly park to a less friendly league and a less friendly park. Jeremy Bonderman was ridiculously awful in the second half last season, and Kenny Rogers isn't a sure bet for health, just like any other 40+ year old in the league. And they don't have a lot of depth behind any of these guys. Their lineup is pretty scary, but they traded away most of their non-Porcello prospects to make it so: so if they need something at the deadline, they may not be able to acquire it.

Whew. I'm done on that one.

by Allen Chace on Mar 10, 2008 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Good game for Ellsbury today

3 for 5, 1 HR 1 2B 2 RBI.

Hansen continues to struggle, though.

I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.

by Drugs Delaney on Mar 8, 2008 4:24 PM EST reply actions

Re: Good game for Ellsbury today

I love how backwards Spring Training can be: the Marlins beat the reigning world champions and the batter in the Sox' lineup with the least power hit a 2-run homer--the only runs they scored in the game.

by Liza on Mar 8, 2008 7:39 PM EST up reply actions

Re: What if NO ONE wins the CF competition?

They can't get rid of the Coke bottles!! How can Theo replace their production? They lead the league in OMP, RC, and VORP!!* This could be the worst deal since Bard and Meredith for Mirabelli. Worst of all, the seats replacing the bottles aren't gamers - people will walk (and sit) all over them!

*Over the Monster percentage, Refreshment Created, and Value Over Replacement Promotion.

by 0157H7 on Mar 10, 2008 2:29 PM EDT reply actions